Church Art Update

I have told Dawnae several times that I am a very slow producer of art. Nonetheless, slow as I may be, I do get some work done. I have some bold colors on there right now, but they will evolve over time.

I've decided to use Bethany for the young brunette woman. I am the older woman. For those of you who see me often, can you see the resemblance? And, after debating about putting a young child in the bottom left corner, hanging on to the young woman's skirt, I made the decision to use photos of Lauren & Ashley from when they were almost 5 years old. They will both be in the bottom left hand corner, close to their "Mom", looking at the older woman that is being served. My goal is to have this completed by the end of the school year. Wish me luck and I'll keep you updated!

Monday's Moment

Under Pressure

Okay, so I folded under the pressure and dropped my Spanish 101 class. It was hard! And I didn't like not knowing the answer when Mi Profesora called on me! I'm weird like that...

However, I have kept my Oceanography 101 class. It is the telecourse version so I can watch the "lecture" on TV, or on my computer, whenever it works into my schedule. And I am really enjoying what I'm learning. Of course, I become fully involved in each class I take, meaning that when I took Medical Terminology I "was" a doctor. And when I took Child Development, I "was" a child development expert. And now that I'm taking Oceanography, I "am" an oceanographer. Too bad I couldn't be a Spanish speaking Oceanographer at the same time...

Sadly, I'm really missing my studio art classes!!! I had a great time last year taking painting and I'm really looking forward to getting back into art classes again.

I'm so excited because tomorrow is Take-In day at the Redlands Art Gallery for the new show. The theme is "Fall Colors". I'm especially excited about it because Dawnae will have one of her pieces in the Gallery, too! The following pictures are of my "Fall Silhouette" and Dawnae's "Sunflowers"! I still need to get a picture of my piece framed. I will update this post with that soon.

Wish us luck on a Great Show and Quick Sales!!!

See Post Previous to Thursday Thirteen for my Montana Adventure Excuse!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I Love About My Husband

13. When he takes the kids with him to run errands on Saturdays

12. His desire to show the kids the world

11. His persistence

10. His attention getting schemes

9. His ability to get only a few hours of sleep night after night and still go to work everyday

8. His ability to problem-solve

7. His love of discovering/experiencing delicious flavors

6. His love of running

5. He has a nice rear

4. He is not embarrassed easily

3. His commitment to duty

2. His woodworking skills

1. His smile

Excuses, Excuses!

So, why would I, a wife and mother of four, fly to a place I have never been, where I know absolutely no-one, have no connections, and spend my time driving the countryside just to take pictures?! This has been asked by several people over the last few weeks; along with "Help me to understand why!".

I have been considering how I could answer this question and wishing a simple "Because..." would suffice. And truly, the easiest way to explain it is because I was supposed to go with Bart to Chicago, then cancelled at the last minute and had a plane ticket that needed to be used. But, this doesn't explain going to "The Boonies" alone. Hmmm... I'm still trying to understand it myself. So, let's take a walk down this country lane and try to figure this out.

I live in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. We have an incredible view into the valley and are privileged to witness the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets every day. (They rival Montana Big Sky sunrise/sunsets) Our little neighborhood was built with the requirement that each home lot size be at least 1 acre - in order to accomodate horses. (There are many horses in Yucaipa) We have the friendliest, most down-to-earth people in our community. I would be welcome on anybody's land to take pictures of their gardens or horses. (I could easily manipulate & pose gardening & equestrian equipment, near their barns, to make it look like it was from Montana) So far, it sounds like Yucaipa has everything that Montana has. Still the question remains, "Why go so far, alone?".

Let's continue our walk.

If I ever have decisions to make, points to ponder or a need to feel close to my Heavenly Father, then I go to the temple. I am blessed to have the Redlands temple just a hop, skip and jump away from my house. I have often come away from temple worship feeling closer to my Heavenly Father with a renewed commitment to act as His daughter and live up to the covenants I have made with him. I have been able to make decisions and come to a greater understanding of principles I have been studying. However, because we have lived in the San Bernardino area for many years, I inevitably run in to someone I know each time I go to the temple. As much as I love this, and look forward to it, for the decisions I needed to make and the need to know my status with God at this time in my life, I felt I needed to be in the midst of his beautiful creations - the "wilderness" - where there was no chance of running into anyone I know. While in Montana, I was never interrupted and was able to keep one line of thought the entire time.

I ask you, what Mom is able to say that they had 4 days of uninterrupted thought?!

I came home with a renewed spirit, ready to take on the new school year and all its commitments, and some beautiful pictures that I can look to for continued inspiration. It was truly a blessing to be able to have the freedom to care for myself spiritually and creatively, all at once, for an extended period of time.

So, there you have my reason. Did you enjoy your walk with me down a country lane? I did. Do you understand any better? I hope so. Will I do it again? Certainly. When and Where? Well, Ely, Nevada is on my list, but I'm not sure that taking pictures of brothels will bring me closer to God. I can't promise when or where I'll go next time; who knows, I may just end up wandering around in your neighborhood!

Watch Out World, A New Driver on the Road!

I can honestly say I never believed this day would come! As of this afternoon, Bethany is a licensed driver! A very bitter-sweet experience I must admit. Her dad picked her up from school (a new experience for him-it's quite a process) and took her to the DMV. This will be a memory for both of them for years to come. I would have been a bawling baby sitting there in the DMV waiting for her to come back from the test. I'm so happy for her.

I'm so happy for me.... "Bethany, can you run to the store and get..." and "Bethany, can you take so & so here". However, each time she drives away, my heart will cringe and an intense prayer will be said for her safety and my ability to let go some more.

Congratulations, Bethany! I love you!